The Lost America Blog

Part of the Homestead act, the Wonder Valley Tract east of 29 Palms, California was opened to settlers in the 1940’s. If you improved the lot with a structure, the land was yours for $10 an acre. Thousands rushed to claim their plots and the region mushroomed with one room shacks. By the ’70s hundreds were abandoned. For more, read Kim Stringfellow’s excellent primer. I’ve made periodic trips to this area since the ’80s. There’s a whole career of night shooting to be done here.

Night, full moon, 73 second exposure. Protomachines flashlight set to pink (through the creosote), turquoise (from the back of the house, through the front windows) and white (on the sign).